What is the Viral "Anthropology Rock Prank," and How Do You Pull It?

Influencer Gia Rutkowski explains what the prank is & why it’s so popular

Co-authored by Hunter Rising Reviewed by Gia Rutkowski

Last Updated: November 14, 2025 Fact Checked

• What is the Anthropologie rock prank?
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• Anthropologie’s Response
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• Why is it popular?
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• Are they real?
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• Pulling the Prank
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• Advice for Pulling Pranks
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• Video
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• Tips

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Anthropologie rocks are some of the hottest things you can buy right now…or at least that’s what TikTok would have you believe! Even though Anthropologie doesn’t sell rocks, many people on TikTok are posting prank videos claiming they spent a lot of money on one. If you want to fool family, friends, or your partner, pulling the prank is simple! Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through how it started, how Anthropologie responded to the joke, and how to pull the prank yourself. Plus, we spoke to influencer Gia Rutkowski for her insights on the viral trend.

The Anthropologie Rock Prank Explained

Influencer Gia Rutkowski says the Anthropologie rock prank involves finding a rock and pretending that you spent a lot of money buying it from Anthropologie. The trend started when Phoebe Adams posted a TikTok of her pulling the prank on her boyfriend, who freaked out that she spent money on a rock.

Steps

Section 1 of 6:

What is the Anthropologie rock prank?

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   This prank involves pretending that a regular rock is from the store Anthropologie. User @phoebeadams112 first pulled this prank on her boyfriend in September of 2025, posting a video of herself pretending to open a package from Anthropologie that just contains a rock. When she opens the package, her boyfriend acts confused about why she would spend money on a regular-looking rock that she could easily find outside in nature, and he gets even more upset when she says she spent $150 on it.

   • Since it was posted, the video has gotten over 12 million views!
   • In some follow-up videos, Phoebe Adams even got her mom in on the joke. In a TikTok video from September 16th, 2025, her mom asks about the Anthropologie rock in Phoebe’s house, and a video two days later shows that her mom bought one for herself.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Gia Rutkowski is an influencer and content creator. She specializes in digital patterns and their behavioral implications, and is able to spot rising trends and cultural shifts before they go mainstream.
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   More people hopped on the trend and posted their videos. As soon as the original video went viral, other TikTokers filmed themselves doing the prank. Many people pull the prank on their boyfriends or partners, but it’s funny for other family members or friends, too.

   • In a TikTok by @TheDailyNelly, she gives her mom a rock. Her dad and her boyfriend are both in disbelief when she claims to have bought it for $200.
   • In a video with 18 million views by @macymoments, she opens an Anthropologie rock in front of guys watching football, and they don’t understand why someone would spend money on a rock.
   • In a video by @sweetmamamadeline, her boyfriend says, “Are you serious?” as soon as she opens the rocks.
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Section 2 of 6:

How did Anthropologie respond to the rock prank?

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   Anthropologie leans into the joke in comment sections. The official Anthropologie account is definitely in on the joke, and they’re posting as if Anthro rocks are the real deal. On the original Phoebe Adams TikTok, the Anthropologie Europe account commented, “There’s no rock like an Anthropologie rock ✨”

   • On a TikTok by @TheDailyNelly, Anthropologie commented “the color, the veining, the discount = perfection”
   • On a TikTok by @sweetmamamadeline, Anthropologie responded “the details on that rock…everything 😍✨”
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   One Anthropologie store set up a fake Rock Collection. On September 20, the official Anthropologie TikTok account posted a video showcasing their Rock Collection. The table has a ton of rocks that are “for sale.” One fake price tag even shows a rock listed for $1,000.

   • In another TikTok, Phoebe Adams took her boyfriend to the store display to take the prank even further. She even had a store employee in on the joke, telling her and her boyfriend that the rocks were 50% off.
   • Rutkowski notes that the joke “completely blew up” when Anthropologie posted their TikTok video. She says, “Women were delighted that they now had ‘proof’ from the brand itself that this was a ‘real’ product, so they could further convince their disbelieving partners.”
   • Rutkowski adds that “this was a smart move on the brand's part—by responding to the joke in this way, they acknowledged and embraced the context behind their brand and twisted the prank into an opportunity to make their customers feel closer, even supported, by the brand.”
   • In other words, she says that Anthropologie “place[d] themselves at eye-level with female customers, framing themselves as a silly friend.”
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Section 3 of 6:

Why is the Anthropologie prank popular?

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   The prank plays on the fact that items marketed to women are expensive. According to Rutkowski, the Anthropologie rock prank started as a joke played mostly on male spouses, partners, and family members. She explains that this is because “products marketed to women are notoriously marked up in price, and largely, women are notorious for buying it regardless, often for the branding.” So, she says, “Those who are not in the brand's target audience are perplexed by the price,” which definitely makes the prank believable (and funny!).

   • Rutkowski says that “the male victims of these [pranks] are none the wiser, since to them, this purchasing decision would be synonymous with others they've seen the women in their lives make.”
   • She notes that the prank is largely amusing to women because they “have an understanding of the fine line between brand-buying and pure absurdity.”
   • Rutkowski adds that it’s not too hard to believe that men fall for the Anthropologie rock prank, as lots of ridiculous (but very real) products sell out and are super successful, such as the recent hair-covered thong by Skims.
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   The prank pokes fun at Anthropologie's branding and marketing. Rutkowski says brands like Anthropologie, Free People, and Magnolia Pearl have an earthy, holistic, and almost witch-like aesthetic, and are known for selling very expensive but seemingly useless products. So, she notes that a $200-$500 rock is something the brand might actually sell. People who are familiar with Anthropologie, but who aren’t regular shoppers, are likely to fall for the prank, then.
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Section 4 of 6:

Are Anthropologie Rocks real?

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   No, Anthropologie rocks aren’t actually real. Even though Anthropologie sells some accessories and home decor, they don’t have any rocks for sale…yet. While there’s always a chance that Anthropologie rocks become a reality in the future, you’ll just have to keep finding them outside for now.

Section 5 of 6:

How to Do the Anthropologie Rock Prank

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   Find the perfect rock outside. You don’t have to head to the store; just look around for a large rock whenever you’re outside! So what makes a good Anthropologie rock? Pick a large rock that has a bit of weight to it. It could have multiple colors or an interesting shape, but a plain gray rock is really funny too!

   • Small, basic rocks might make it more obvious you’re pulling a prank because it’s less likely Anthropologie would sell them, so try to find a pretty hefty rock if you want to make the prank believable.
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   Put the rock in an Anthropologie bag or shipping box. If you recently shopped at Anthropologie, use a bag from the store or the box from an online order. Wrap the rock in some paper like you’re protecting a valuable item, and then stow it away until you’re ready to pull the prank.

   • If you’re using a box, tape it up to make it look like it just came in the mail.
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   Open the rock in front of another person. When the person you want to prank is around, tell them that you just went shopping at Anthropologie or received a package in the mail, and you want to show them what you got. When you open the rock, act so excited that you finally have one, and show it off to the other person.

   • Most times, the other person will be really confused and wonder why you’re so excited over a rock.
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   Say you spent a lot of money on the rock. At some point during the conversation, mention how much you “spent” on the rock. Usually $100-200 is a believable range, but don’t be afraid to say it’s even more expensive to really rile up the other person.

   • When the other person questions why you spent so much money, come up with a few reasons to justify why! Some examples include:
     • They had to dig it out of the ground so they could sell it.
     • It’s one of a kind, and there are no other rocks like it.
     • It isn’t just any old rock! It’s an Anthropologie rock.
     • They were almost out of stock, and you got the last one at the store.
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   Use the rock as decor to sell the prank even more. If the other person is still in disbelief, show them how to use the Anthropologie rock! Place it on a table as a centerpiece, or up on a shelf as a decorative statement. Mention how good it looks, and make it seem like it’s the perfect addition to your decor.
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Section 6 of 6:

Tips for Pulling off a Prank

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   Choose a gullible target. Someone who’s too smart or has seen the prank before online may catch on to the fact that you’re trying to fool them. Choose your target wisely, and pick someone who’s more likely to fall for the prank.
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   Catch the person off guard. Choose an unexpected time to pull your prank, so it’s a surprise to the other person. Pick a random day during the week and keep your plans secret from anyone who you don’t want in on the joke.

   • Avoid waiting for April Fool’s Day or telling the other person a specific time because they might get more suspicious.
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   Keep a straight face. Even though it’s really funny when someone falls for it, smiling or laughing might be a dead giveaway that you’re pulling a prank. Try to maintain a neutral expression throughout the prank so you give a believable performance.
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• If the other person looks visibly upset or doesn’t think the prank is funny, tell them that it’s all a joke and reveal the truth.
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